Vending machine for insurance contracts



June 4, 1963 R. N. EDWARDS EI'AL 3,092,234

VENDING MACHINE FOR INSURANCE CONTRACTS Filed Jan. 13, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS ROBERT N. EDWARDS LAWRENCE C. REESE ATTORNEYS INVENTORS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 R. N. EDWARDS EI'AL VENDING MACHINE FOR INSURANCE CONTRACTS June 4, 1963 Filed Jan. 13, 1958 2 ll I l l l I I g a O I ll HHHunfl Nm 0O m GK f ROBERT N. EDWARDS LAWRENCE C. REE SE ATTORNEYS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 R O m m E R V A m w D E N T 4 M w mwm: R 'Ii LAWREN CE C. REESE BY v ATTORNEYS R. N. EDWARDS EI'AL VENDING MACHINE FOR INSURANCE CONTRACTS June 4, 1963 Filed Jan. 13, 1958 June 4, 1963 R. N. EDWARDS ETAL VENDING MACHINE FOR INSURANCE CONTRACTS Filed Jan. 15, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS ROBERT N. EDWARDS LAWRENCE C. REESE BYWQMQNMW ATTORNEY .5

Unite States 3,092,234 VENDING MACwE FOR INSURANCE (IQNTRACTS Robert N. Edwards, Chamblee, and Lawrence C. Reese,

Sn, Atlanta, Ga, assignors to Policy-Mafia Corporation of America, Atlanta, Ga, a corporation of Georgia Fiied Jan. 13, 1953, Ser. No. 708,559 3 Claims. (El. 194-4) This invention relates to form issuing apparatus and more particularly to an irnproved, completely automatic coin actuated vending machine for selling and dispensing insurance contracts.

A primary object of the present invention relates to improvements in coin controlled operating circuits for various vending machines and more particularly to provide a coin selecting mechanism to detect and prevent fraud in the use of these machines and to insure operation of the device only by the correct sequence of coins with which it is intended to function.

An important object of this invention is to provide a form issuing apparatus embodying mechanism for feeding continuous collated original and transfer webs on which the contracts of insurance are printed, and which shall be efiective to simultaneously advance the original form web and the transfer web at different rates for minimizing the consumption of Web material while maintaining a smooth, even feeding of both webs.

A further object is to safeguard the original policy form so that it cannot be handled by the purchaser until all data, such as the insured signature, beneficiary, date, or such other insertions as are necessary, have been reproduced on the actual policy and duplicated for subsequent retention in the machine.

Another object is to provide a completely portable, self contained vending machine in which the sequential opera tion of the component parts is attained and maintained by a simplified electrical system without reliance upon an external electrical source.

An additional object 'of the present invention is to provide a machine which is completely automatic and trouble free in operation, extremely simple in construction, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, designed to function in various operating positions, and otherwise Well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and the entire scope of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent as the description herein progresses.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention can be best understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the device with the cover in closed position;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the device, similar to that shown in FIGURE 1, with the cover raised;

FIGURE 3 is a side sectional View taken through the vending machine, with parts removed, showing the feeding mechanism and web supply;

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatical view illustrating the movement of the form and transfer webs;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view partially in section with parts removed, showing the feed and coin mechanisms;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view with parts removed, taken along the line e s of FIGURE 5;

3,992,234 Patented June 4, 1963 ice FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view of the coin and latching mechanism viewed from the side;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the coin release mechanism taken along the line 8-8 of FIG- URE 5;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged side elevational view of the coin mechanism;

FIGURE 10 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 1010 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a rear elevational view of the coin mechanism shown in FIGURE 9; and

FIGURES 12 and 13 are schematic views of the coin chute illustrating a part of the coin detecting mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the vending machine forming the subject matter of the present invention has an outer casing indicated generally by the reference character 14 in FIGURE 1. The casing 14 includes an upper cover member 16 which is hinged at 18 to a lower base member 20. The outer casing 14 may be formed from any suitable shock resistant plastic material so as to substantially reduce the overall weight of the machine.

Housed within the casing 14 is a frame or chassis 22 provided with side plates 24 and 26 which are held in spaced relation by means of an upper cross member 48. The side plates 24 and 26 are joined together at their lower edges by means of a base plate 30, thus providing a generally channel shaped frame as shown in FIGURE 6.

The present device is adapted to issue individual contractual forms, intermittently, from a continuous supply web defined by a plurality of separable sections 19 which correspond to an individual form. In turn, each form contains, in alternate sequence, a receipt and a contractual document relating to that receipt. The receipt contains all the necessary data which must be filled in by the appli cant prior to issuance of an insurance policy. In practice, it is desirable to retain a duplicate copy of this receipt in the vending machine. Heretofore, machines of this type have not only retained a copy of the applicants receipt but also an unnecessary duplicate of the contractual document portion. The present invention overcomes this difficulty by utilizing a separate transfer :or duplicating sheet 44 for recording only the data inscribed and entered on the original receipt. This is accomplished by a novel differential feed mechanism which simultaneously advances both the original form and the transfer sheet at a constant differential rate so that the original form web 40 travels a predetermined distance equal to the length of the contractual document and receipt section 19 while the transfer sheet 44 progresses a distance equal only to the length of the original receipt.

In the present instance, separate upper and lower tray members 32 and 34 respectively, are retained in the lower portion of the channel frame 22 to form separate supply compartments or chambers. As will be noted in FIG- URE 3, the upper tray member 32 is hinged at 36 to the rear Wall of the lower tray member 34 for permitting unitary removal of the supply compartment.

The original form web 40 preferably consists of a plurality of sever-ably connected sections 19 supplied in folded packs 42 which are deposited in the lower supply tray 34, while the folded duplicating or transfer sheet 44 may be deposited in the upper tray 32 as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. The form Web 40 and transfer sheet 44 are collectively fed upwardly across a writing support or platform member 48 (from right to left as viewed in FIGURE 3) which is secured to the upper edges of the side panels 24 and 26 and extends longitudinally toward the rear of the casing 14. The leading edge of the platform member 48 is in the form of a curved inturned guide member 50 which serves to effectively guide both paper webs across the top of the writing support. The original form 40 passes outwardly through adelivery opening 46 formed in the upper cover member 16, while the transfersheet 44 is retained within the machine and refolded in a suitable receiving tray '38 mounted above the upper tray 32. The machine, as previously indicated,

contemplates requiring the prospective purchaser to write on the face of the policy to be dispensed, certain data vital to the validity of the policy, and to this end the machine is provided with an entry aperture 52 formed in 'the top 17 of the upper cover member 16 which is aligned with the policy receipt. In order to transfer a duplicate 'copyto the transfer sheet 44, the rear surface of the original receipt 40 may be coated with carbon in the manner well understood.

The paper feed mechanism is driven by an electric motor 54 through a suitable reduction gear train 56 which is secured to the cross-member 28. The upper form 'web 40 is separately advanced across the writing platform member 48 by means of primary feed wheels 58 and 58a, each carrying a plurality of upstanding pins 59 around the periphery thereof. The pins 59 are adapted to engage marginal-1y disposed rows of holes 62 formed in the continuous web 40. A pair of secondary feed wheels 60 and 604: are rotatably mounted below the platform member 48 to independently advance the transfer sheet 44. Peripheral pins 61 extend outwardly from the secondary feed Wheels 60 and 60a for engaging similar marginally disposed openings 62 formed in the transfersheet 44. A transverse return aperture 64 is formed in the support member 48 rearwardly of the access or entry opening 2 to permit reentry of the transfer sheet 44.

. A guide chute 66 extends downwardly from the return opening 64 for directing the transfer sheet 44 across the secondary feed wheels 60 and 60a to the receiving tray 38, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. A pair of downwardly extending slots (not shown) formed in both the firont and rear walls of the'guide chute 66 are normally aligned with the feed pins 61 serving to retain the transfer sheet 44' in positive engagement therewith but may be retracted to reload the machine. spring biased retainers 68'may be mounted on the inner surface of the upper cover 16 to lock the form web 40 in positive engagement with the pins 59 of the primary feed wheels 58 and 5811, as shown in FIGURE 2.

The primary and secondary feed wheels 58 and 6% are In addition, a pair of of the receipt without unnecessarily retaining a copy of the contractual document.

The present machine is provided with a coin mechanism generally indicated hy the numeral 86 which serves to actuate and initially control the operation of the drive motor 54 through a simplified electrical system without reliance upon the usual solenoids or relays. 90 is located in the face of the upper cover member -16 while the usual return opening 92 for coins which are of incorrect denomination is provided in the lower side Wall of the casing 14. The coin mechanism 86 includes a movable coin chute 94 having an upper entrance opening 96 registering with the coin slot 90 and a lower disa charge opening 98 at the opposite end thereof in aligncoupled to respective rotating shafts 7e and 72 which are 1 sprocket 82 to the secondary feed sprocket 80 which in turn is adapted to drive the primary feed sprocket 78 through-a chain '83.

The and secondary feed wheels 58 and60 are driven at a constant predetermined gear ratioin order to advance the original form web and transfer sheet a selected predetermined distance whereby the transfer sheet 44 merely progresses a distance equal only to the length of. the original receipt, while the form web 40 travels a distance equal to the length of an individual form section 1 9', as described hereinbefore. For example, the present machine has been designed to issue an eight inch original insurance form which includes a receipt two inches in length. Accordingly the secondary feed sprocket '80 is geared to operate at a 4 to 1 ratio to drive the transfer sheet 44 two inches during a complete revolution of the primary feed wheel. As willreadilybe understood,

novel concept of a difierential drive between the primary and secondary feed wheels affords a substantial saving in papersincethe machine merely retains a duplicate from insulating material. cured to the upper end of the coin chute 94 having a pair ment with the coin return passage 10%. The front and rear panels 111 and 112 of the coin chute 94 are joined by side walls 113 and 114 to define a coin channel 91.

In the present invention, the coin chute 94 is pivotally suspended and supported by a mounting block 102 formed A mounting bracket 10 4 is seof intnrned flanges 106 that are arranged to pivot about the pins 103 extending laterally from-the mounting block 102. This construction permits the movable coin chute 94, which is normally mounted in juxtaposed relation with respect to the mounting block 102, to laterally swing away from the block when the release arm 116 is actuated.

A plurality of electrical contacts are mounted on the insulated block 102 and project therefrom through suitable openings formed in the rear panel 112 into the coin channel 91. upper contact members 116 and 118, which are recessed in the side walls 113 and 114 defining the coin channel 91, and an intermediate contact member "122 disposed above the discharge opening 93 and recessed in side wall 113. Contact members 116, 118 audit-22 are electrically connected in series while an additional lower contact member 124 is diagonally disposed below the intermediate contact member 122 serving to complete the circuit when bridged by a coin or coins of proper characteristics. The 'side walls i113 and 114 have angulated recessed surfaces 115 and 117 extending downwardly which function to position and support a proper sequence of coins, as shown in FIGURES 12 and 13. For example, FIGURE 12 shows a fifty cent piece which will bridge and complete the circuit between the lower contact member 124} and the intermediate contact 122, while FIGURE 13 illustrates the various positions which two quarters may assome in the coin channel 911 to complete the electrical (circuit between the lower contact and either of the upper contact members 116 or 118; It should be noted that movement of the fifty cent piece is arrested by both the lower contact member 120 and the intermediate contact 122, While the movement of the lower quarter through channel 91 is interrupted by lower contact 124) and a coin release lug 129, rather than the intermediate contact 122, so that the circuit will not be completed until an additional quarter is deposited in the coin chute 94.

A spring biased release mechanism 124 serves to return improper coin deposits and maybe actuated by depressing the release lever 125 causing the arm 127 to move clockwise withdrawing the lug 129 from the coin channel 91.

When the electrical circuit has been bridged by the proper sequence or combination of selected coins, the motor circuit is initially energized causing the motor 54 to drive the primary feed sprocket 73 which in turn moves the associated release pin 126 into. engagement with the downwardly and laterally extending release arm 110. Upon continued rotation of the primary feed sprocket, the release pin 126 raises the arm 1&0 thereby causing the coin chute 94 to swing outwardly away from the mounting block 102 against the force of the return spring 99 to discharge the deposited coins into a discharge chute 123 leading to a coin collection box 139? located A coin slot The electrical contacts include a pair of' rearwardly of the supply trays 32 and 34 and below the receiving tray 38. Since the release of these coins would open the coin controlled energizing circuit, a continuing circuit, in parallel with the energizing circuit functions to take over and control subsequent energization of the motor circuit. This is accomplished by means of an electrical switch 132 which is opened and closed by a rotating cam member 134 secured to and driven by the drive shaft 84. The control switch 132 is normally open but closes when the drive shaft commences to rotate upon bridging of the coin switch and remains closed until opened when the cam 134 completes a dispensing cycle.

In order to prevent spurious manual operation of the vending machine, a latching means, in the form of an L-shaped locking member 136, is pivotally supported at 138 to control movement of the primary feed wheel 58 upon completion of a dispensing cycle. The locking member 136 includes an upstanding leg 14% which rotatably supports a cleated idle wheel 142 arranged to rest on the upper surface of the lower loop of chain 83, while the other leg 144 extends upwardly from the pivot 138 toward .the primary feed wheel 58 to register with a recessed locking groove 146 formed along the peripheral surface thereof. Upon completion of a dispensing cycle, the lower loop 830 of the chain 83 will relax and sag permitting the locking member 136 to rotate clockwise about the pivot 133 (as shown in FIGURE 3) depressing leg 14% and elevating leg 144 into locking engagement with groove 146 to prevent further advancement of the feed mechanism. When a dispensing cycle commences, the slack in the lower loop 83a is immediately taken up causing the locking member 136 to move counterclockwise so that leg 144 is withdrawn from the locking groove 146.

Since the instant machine has eliminated all solenoids and relays from the electrical circuit, the operating current required to energize the motor 54 may normally be supplied by two flashlight batteries which will automatically operate the machine several hundred times without replacement. These batteries are retained in a suitable battery conduit 150 thereby making the device completely portable in operation. In addition, the coin mechanism, described hereinbefore, has been so designed and constructed that the machine may be tilted in various angulated positions without affecting its operation.

It is to be understood that although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been shown in the drawings and described with considerable particularity in the foregoing specification, the invention is not limited to specific details of construction shown and described, but includes all modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

We claim:

1. In a portable vending machine for automatically issuing individual forms containing a plurality of continuous webs arranged in superposed relation, one of said webs being defined by a plurality of sections each corresponding in length to an individual form and the other of said webs being defined by a plurality of sections each of lesser length than one of said first named sections and adapted to be aligned with a corresponding por- 8 tion of said forms, the improvement comprising feeding means intermittently operable for separately advancing each of said Webs a predetermined tdistanm substantially equal to the length of one section, an electric motor for driving said feeding means, a power supply circuit including an electrical battery connected in series to said motor for energizing the same, and a coin control switch electrically connected in series with said circuit having a pair of contacts which when electrically interconnected by a coin will close said circuit and actuate said motor.

2. In a portable vending machine as defined in claim 1, an electrical override switch connected in parallel to said control switch for taking over and controlling opera tion of said motor after said coin is released to clear said control switch, and actuating means for first closing said override switch upon initial energization of said motor and then opening the same when said feeding means has completed a dispensing cycle.

3. A portable vending machine for automatically issuing an individual form upon insertion of a coin comprising, a casing having an aperture therein, intermittently operable feeding means for separately advancing a form web and a transfer sheet in superposed relation beneath said aperture, said feeding means including a primary feed wheel for advancing said Web and a secondary feed Wheel for advancing said sheet, a support for said web and sheet in their simultaneous passage beneath said aperture, diiferential means for driving said primary and secondary feed wheels at a constant ratio in order to move said web and sheet separately across said support different predetermined distances, an electric motor for driving said difierential means, a power supply circuit including an electrical battery connected in series to said motor for energizing the same, an electrical coin selector switch connected in series with said circuit having a pair of contacts which when electrically interconnected by a coin will close said circuit and actuate said motor, an electrical override switch connected in parallel to said selector switch for taking over and controlling operation of said motor after said coin is released and said selector switch cleared, and actuating means for first closing said override switch upon initial energization of said motor and then opening the same when said feeding means has completed a dispensing cycle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 973,896 Trippensee Oct. 25, 1910 1,141,170 Boerner June 1, 1915 1,183,557 Hall May 16, 1916 1,344,909 Lederman June 29, 1920 1,641,212 Werner Sept. 6,1927 1,949,541 Hartman Mar. 6, 1934 2,150,324 Grunbaum Mar. 14, 1939 2,266,825 Streckfuss Dec. 23, 1941 2,854,116 Gray Sept-30, 1958 2,854,257 Williams Sept. 30, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 684,975 France Mar. 25, 1930 

1. IN A PORTABLE VENDING MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY ISSUING INDIVIDUAL FORMS CONTAINGING A PLURALITY OF CONTINUOUS WEBS ARRANGED IN SUPERPOSED RELATION, ONE OF SAID CORRESPONDING IN LENGTH TO AN INDIVIDUAL FORM AND THE OTHER OF SAID WEBS BEING DEFINED BY A PLURALITY OF SECTIONS EACH OF LESSER LENGTH THAN ONE OF SAID FIRST NAMED SECTIONS AND ADAPTED TO BE ALIGNED WITH A CORRESPONDING PORTION OF SAID FORMS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING FEEDING MEANS INTERMITTENTLY OPERABLE FOR SEPERATELY ADVANCING EACH OF SAID WEBS A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE LENGTH OF ONE SECTION, AN ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR DRIVING SAID FEEDING MEANS, A POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT INCLUDING AN ELECTRICAL BATTERY CONNECTED IN SERIES TO SAID 